Why Bellator 104's Rick Hawn wants War Machine in tournament final

Even though he’s scheduled for a bout with Brent Weedman at Friday’s Bellator 104 event, welterweight tournament semifinalist Rick Hawn already knows whom he would like to face for the tournament title.

It’s War Machine, a man who needs no introduction and who’s preparing to meet Ron Keslar in the opposing tournament bracket on the same night. The two tourney bouts co-headline the event, which airs on Spike TV from U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

It would seem the reasoning for most to call out War Machine (14-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is due to his polarizing personality and frequent outlandish remarks, but Hawn (16-2 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) said that’s not his motivation.

The 37-year-old knows that as an ex-UFC fighter and former adult entertainment star, War Machine is one of the most notable names in the Bellator welterweight division, which would ultimately help bring attention to the potential matchup.

“I’d prefer to fight War Machine,” Hawn told MMAjunkie.com. “I’ve read a lot of posts and comments, and a lot of people want to see me and War Machine fight. I think that’d be a great draw for Bellator.”

Despite War Machine many discretions in recent years, Hawn has no ill will toward him and completely understands his approach to the sport.

“War Machine and I are very opposite,” Hawn said. “He lets his emotions out, and I’m more reserved. I’m more calculating. I don’t let emotions get in the way of things. As a competitor, you experiment with what works and what doesn’t, and for me, being emotional is just draining.”

Ultimately Hawn’s interest in a fight with War Machine boils down to his desire to bring more eyeballs to both himself and the Bellator brand. If War Machine chooses to hype the bout with trash talk or any other antics, Hawn would have no problem with it. But for himself, it’s simply not the way he decides to operate.

“I don’t need to fluff anything up or come out with anything for what I lack,” Hawn said. “To me, that’s why a lot of people do those things. That’s just not me. I just go out there and get the job done. No bells or whistles. Just win. That’s the most important thing.”

Hawn is certainly right about winning; without a victory in his semifinal match with Weedman (22-8-1 MMA, 8-3 BMMA) on Friday, War Machine may be moving on to the tournament finals without him, and all that attention will go elsewhere.

Fortunately for “Genghis,” he’ll have a slight edge going into the fight since he already holds a victory over Weedman from just 17 months ago.

Hawn won the first meeting by unanimous decision, and while a repeat performance in the rematch would be satisfactory, the desired result is to finish the fight by knockout.

“I’ve been envisioning a finish,” Hawn said. “I hit him really hard the first time we fought, and it didn’t even affect him, so I have to hit him twice as hard this time.

“I’m looking to finish right away and end it. That’d be the best way to go. If it doesn’t go that way, I’ll just keep chopping him down.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.